Maple Cream Cookies Recipe

These Maple Cream Cookies are soft, buttery, and delicately crisp around the edges, with rich maple flavor in every bite. Made with maple syrup, maple sugar, and a creamy maple filling, these homemade sandwich cookies are perfect for fall baking, holidays, maple season, and cozy afternoons with coffee or tea.

Maple Cream Cookies Recipe – Soft Maple Sandwich Cookies

Make these easy Maple Cream Cookies with buttery maple cookies and a creamy maple filling. A delicious homemade sandwich cookie perfect for fall and holidays

Why You'll Love These Maple Cream Cookies

Rich maple flavor: Pure maple syrup and maple sugar give the cookies a naturally delicious maple taste.
Buttery and tender: Butter creates a delicate cookie with a soft, satisfying texture.
Creamy maple filling: The sweet maple filling turns simple cookies into an irresistible sandwich dessert.
Beautiful presentation: Maple leaf-shaped cookies make these especially attractive for holidays and gifting.
Perfect for fall: Warm maple flavor pairs beautifully with autumn baking.
Great for holidays: These cookies make a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas cookie trays.
Easy to make: The dough uses simple baking ingredients and comes together without complicated techniques.
Make-ahead friendly: Both the cookies and filling can be prepared ahead of time.
Perfect with coffee or tea: Their buttery maple flavor makes them an excellent afternoon treat.
Freezer-friendly: The baked cookies can be frozen for convenient preparation ahead of holidays.

What Are Maple Cream Cookies?

Maple Cream Cookies are buttery cookies flavored with maple syrup or maple sugar and filled or sandwiched with a sweet maple-flavored cream filling.

Maple leaf-shaped maple cookies are particularly popular in Canada and the northeastern United States, where maple syrup is an important regional ingredient. Homemade versions can be made with simple sugar-cookie-style dough and a creamy maple butter filling.

This recipe combines tender maple cookies with a smooth maple cream filling for a classic sandwich cookie that is perfect for fall and holiday baking.

Recipe Overview

Cuisine: American, Canadian-inspired
Category: Cookies, Dessert
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: About 20 sandwich cookies
Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
Calories: About 220 kcal

Ingredients

For the Maple Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup maple sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Maple Cream Filling

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Optional Garnish

Maple sugar
Finely chopped pecans
A light drizzle of maple glaze

How to Make Maple Cream Cookies

1. Make the Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and maple sugar until light and creamy.

Add the egg, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Beat until well combined.

2. Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.

Mix just until a soft dough forms.

Avoid overmixing because it can make the cookies tough.

3. Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two portions and flatten each into a disk.

Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Chilling makes the dough easier to roll and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

4. Roll and Cut the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Lightly flour a work surface and roll the chilled dough to approximately ¼ inch thick.

Cut the dough into maple leaf shapes or another desired cookie shape.

Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.

Gather and reroll the scraps as needed.

5. Bake the Cookies

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

Do not overbake.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Cool completely before filling.

6. Make the Maple Cream Filling

Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.

Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.

Add the maple syrup, heavy cream or milk, vanilla extract, and salt.

Beat for another 1–2 minutes, until smooth and spreadable.

If the filling is too thick, add a small amount of cream or milk.

If it is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

7. Assemble the Maple Cream Cookies

Spread or pipe a small amount of maple cream filling onto the flat side of one cookie.

Place another cookie on top and gently press to form a sandwich.

Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.

For the best texture, allow the assembled cookies to rest for about 15–20 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for the Best Maple Cream Cookies

Use pure maple syrup: Pure maple syrup provides much better flavor than maple-flavored pancake syrup.
Use real maple sugar: Maple sugar intensifies the maple flavor while keeping the cookie balanced.
Don't overmix the dough: Mix only until the ingredients are combined.
Chill the dough: Cold dough is easier to roll and helps prevent spreading.
Keep the thickness consistent: Evenly rolled dough helps all the cookies bake at the same rate.
Don't overbake: Maple cookies should remain tender rather than becoming hard and dry.
Cool completely before filling: Warm cookies can melt the maple cream.
Adjust the filling consistency: Add powdered sugar to thicken it or a small amount of cream to loosen it.
Use a piping bag: Piping creates an even layer of filling and makes assembly easier.
Don't overfill: Too much filling can squeeze out when the cookies are pressed together.
Use maple leaf cutters: They create the classic appearance associated with maple cookies.
Let assembled cookies rest: A short resting period allows the filling and cookies to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Maple Cream Cookies with:

Coffee
Hot tea
Hot chocolate
Maple latte
Apple cider
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Fresh berries
Apple slices
A maple-flavored dessert platter

For a beautiful fall dessert tray, arrange the cookies with pecan cookies, cinnamon cookies, gingerbread cookies, and other seasonal treats.

Variations

Maple Pecan Cream Cookies

Add ½ cup finely chopped toasted pecans to the cookie dough for extra crunch and nutty flavor.

Maple Chocolate Cookies

Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a maple-and-chocolate combination.

Maple Cinnamon Cookies

Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the cookie dough for a warm autumn flavor.

Maple Sandwich Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling

Replace part of the butter in the filling with softened cream cheese for a tangy maple cream cheese filling.

Maple Leaf Cookies

Use a maple leaf-shaped cookie cutter for an attractive seasonal presentation.

Maple Glazed Cookies

Skip the sandwich filling and drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple maple glaze.

Maple Walnut Cookies

Add finely chopped walnuts to the cookie dough for another delicious maple-and-nut combination.

Storage

Store assembled Maple Cream Cookies in an airtight container.

Keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days if the filling is made with ingredients suitable for room-temperature storage.

For longer storage, refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Allow refrigerated cookies to sit at room temperature for several minutes before serving for the best texture.

Place parchment paper between layers to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Can You Freeze Maple Cream Cookies?

Yes.

For the best results, freeze the baked cookies without the filling.

Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers.

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw at room temperature and prepare the maple cream filling when you're ready to assemble the cookies.

You can also freeze assembled cookies, although the filling may become slightly softer after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Maple Cream Cookies?

Maple Cream Cookies are buttery maple-flavored cookies sandwiched together with a sweet, creamy maple filling. Maple leaf-shaped versions are especially popular for fall and maple-season baking.

Can I use maple syrup instead of maple sugar?

Yes. Maple syrup can provide plenty of maple flavor, although maple sugar adds additional concentrated maple taste without adding much liquid to the dough.

What kind of maple syrup is best for Maple Cream Cookies?

Use 100% pure maple syrup. Darker maple syrup provides a stronger maple flavor, while lighter grades create a more delicate flavor.

Can I make Maple Cream Cookies without maple sugar?

Yes. If maple sugar is unavailable, you can replace it with additional granulated sugar. The cookies will still taste delicious but will have a less intense maple flavor.

Why did my maple cookies spread?

The butter may have been too warm, the dough may not have been chilled sufficiently, or the baking sheet may have been warm. Chill the dough thoroughly before rolling and baking.

Why are my Maple Cream Cookies hard?

Overbaking is one of the most common causes. Bake only until the cookies are set and the edges are lightly golden.

Can I use maple leaf cookie cutters?

Absolutely. Maple leaf cutters are perfect for creating the classic appearance of maple cream cookies.

Can I make the cookies ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the cookies up to several days ahead and store them in an airtight container. Prepare the filling and assemble them closer to serving time for the best texture.

Can I use maple extract?

Yes. A small amount of pure maple extract can intensify the maple flavor. Use it sparingly because it can easily overpower the natural maple syrup.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes. Use a suitable 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend designed for cookies. The texture may vary slightly depending on the flour blend.

Can I make Maple Cream Cookies dairy-free?

Yes. Use a plant-based butter suitable for baking and a dairy-free milk or cream alternative for the filling.

Are Maple Cream Cookies good for Christmas?

Yes. Their maple flavor and decorative shape make them an excellent addition to Christmas cookie trays and homemade holiday gift boxes.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per sandwich cookie:

Calories: 220 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Total Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg
Sodium: 95 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 17 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the size of the cookies, amount of filling, and specific ingredients used.

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Maple Pecan Cookies
Maple Fudge
Maple Walnut Cookies
Maple Pecan Pie
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Shortbread Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Butter Cookies

Final Thoughts

Maple Cream Cookies are a delicious homemade treat combining tender, buttery maple cookies with a smooth and creamy maple filling. Their rich maple flavor, delicate texture, and beautiful maple leaf shape make them especially perfect for fall baking, holidays, maple season, and homemade gifts.

Serve them with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a warm maple latte for a cozy afternoon treat. They also make a beautiful addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas cookie trays.

Try this easy Maple Cream Cookies recipe at home and enjoy buttery maple cookies with creamy maple filling in every delicious bite!